Madison
Montana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Madison County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the top 2% of American counties ($753K), the home price against local income is in the top 2% of American counties (5.2 years of income), and high-school completion is in the top 2% of American counties (96%). Within Montana it ranks 1st of 56 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Madison County, Montana. 8,742 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 2.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +296).

Montana has no sales tax and a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.65% for 2026. It taxes Social Security above income thresholds. Home prices in Bozeman, Missoula and the Flathead Valley roughly doubled between 2019 and 2023 as remote workers arrived, and the state passed a package of zoning reforms in 2023 to add housing supply. Wildfire smoke is now a regular late-summer feature.

Money

The typical household here brings in $61,226 a year, higher than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,421. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 91% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home.

Montana takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,008 a year.

Home

The median home costs $753K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 5.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,021 a month. Property tax is 0.45% of home value, roughly $1,692 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 80.5 years, longer than 93% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 9.2 per 10,000 people. 13.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 60% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 87% of eligible voters turned out. Under Montana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 42°F, highs near 54 and lows near 30, colder than 97% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 18 out of 100, safer than 82% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 78 Mbps down, slower than 93% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.